CRIME NEWS: Update On Vehicle Break-Ins

Newsletter From The CMPD -- Providence Division:

Update on Vehicle Break-Ins

Last week, an alert was sent to subscribers stating that incidents of vehicle break-ins were on the rise in the Providence Division. The division saw a spike in activity the week of 8/17 to 8/23, with several incidents reported in the Dilworth community. In response to that activity, officer scheduled were altered and additional officers were deployed to the Providence Division, Response Area 1, with a concentration on the Dilworth neighborhood. Additional resources from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s motorcycle unit were also deployed in the Providence Division.

Warrants were obtained for two individuals suspected of breaking into cars in the area and both were subjects were arrested last week. Interviewing one of the subjects, he provided information that should lead to additional charges and cases closed by arrest in the Providence Division and other patrol divisions as well. This subject stated that he would drive through parking lots looking for items of value left in plain sight in vehicles. Without ever exiting his vehicle, he could easily spot items such as GPS units mounted on dashboards or windshields. He would enter vehicles with that item in mind, but once in the vehicle, he would also explore the interior looking for other items of value. This testimony only reinforces the importance of removing all valuables from your vehicles.

This past week larcenies from auto in the Providence Division, Response Area 1 dropped by 33% from the previous week and vehicle break-ins in the Dilworth area fell by 46%. For the Providence Division as a whole, larcenies from auto are down by 23% year to date, compared to 2008 and property crime overall is down 23% year to date.

CRIME NEWS: Vehicle Break-Ins

Newsletter from the CMPD -- Providence Division:

Recent Vehicle Break-Ins in Providence Division

Since Monday 8/17, the Providence Division has had 37 reported incidents of larceny from auto. The majority of these incidents were reported in the Dilworth area and stem from a rash of vehicles entered the night of 8/18-8/19. That night, multiple vehicles were hit on Corton Drive, Salem Drive, Lyndhurst Avenue, Dilworth Heights Lane, East Tremont Avenue, Charlotte Drive, and Euclid Avenue. The reports that night from Dilworth all involved windows being broken in order to gain entry to the targeted vehicles. The suspects targeted small items such as phones, iPods, laptops, and cash.

This amount of reported vehicle break-ins in one week significantly exceeds the Providence Division's weekly average for 2009 (26.9). Providence Division officers are investigating suspects for many of this week's incidents, but still ask that anyone who thinks they may have information about vehicle break-ins to contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. Reported information to Crime Stoppers is confidential and anonymous.

Please remember:

• Secure your vehicle. Always keep it locked.
• Remove all items of value and remove items that might appear to have value. An empty backpack can entice a thief to break into your car. Remove accessories for electronics. The GPS unit mount on your dashboard may lead a thief to think that the GPS unit itself is hidden in the glovebox or console.
• Make sure to remove your vehicle's valet key and spare keys to your home or other vehicles you own.
• Try to park in a well lighted area.
• Do not hide your purse or valuables in a vehicle trunk when you arrive at a destination. If possible secure those items ahead of time. A thief may see you place the items in the trunk.
• Many vehicles have alarms. If you hear a car alarm activated in your neighborhood, do not assume that it's a false alarm.
• If your vehicle has a locking glove box, utilize the feature.
• Do not leave spare change and cash in your car.